also, the Korean education system assumes that a kid is only then considered smart if he or she excels in math/science, law, engineering, or business. -boey
Your worth as a human being in Korea also depends a great deal upon where you went to school and what you studied. Based upon the former criterion, I guess I did OK; but upon the latter, I'm rather useless. However, that will change if I go to a law school afterwards, people tell me.
I don't think I could bring myself to raise my own children in this country...
you know, in some aspects i think the Korean education system got it correct though. cuz i do think that people ARE and SHOULD BE considered idiots before PROVEN otherwise. it's just so hard to prove yourself otherwise in Korea, that's all.
For example, take those idiots who tell me they want a job within the engineering department. I ask them what kind of work they are looking for and they say some idiot answer like "engineering!" I tell them you should be more specific than that, and I give them some suggestions on how they can reword their coice. They then say things like "thank you for your advice, but I shall stick to my ideals! I love my individuality! I am capable of doing anything! I will not conform!" And when they don't get the job, they are in complete shock because they were taught that they could do anything they want, the world is open to opportunity. But guess what, the world doesn't work that way. Especially if you're an idiot.
it annoys the heck out of me when I see what they teach in an average american high school. they baby their kids too much (which is why I think some of them get too stressed out and drop out of college after the first semester.) I liked the education that I received in korea. maybe it's because I liked math and science stuff.... haha but the downside of the korean system is that it kills creativity..
I don't know where I would want to bring up my kids.. cus I hear the korean educational system is going wack now too..... I guess the only answer is expensive private schools :P
I have had more than my share of experience, and still am continuing to do so, in the Korean hakwon-tutoring system. Perhaps that's the reason that I'm that much more disillusioned. And I can tell you things are getting worse every year.
I'm not saying that the approach you describe as American is necessarily right - some people probably can do with reality checks. But the Korean approach, driven to its logical conclusion, leads to students being spoon-fed, or even force-fed, knowledge according to a rather outdated curriculum. And that's what's happening increasingly now.
also, the Korean education system assumes that a kid is only then considered smart if he or she excels in math/science, law, engineering, or business. -boey
ReplyDeleteYour worth as a human being in Korea also depends a great deal upon where you went to school and what you studied. Based upon the former criterion, I guess I did OK; but upon the latter, I'm rather useless. However, that will change if I go to a law school afterwards, people tell me.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could bring myself to raise my own children in this country...
you know, in some aspects i think the Korean education system got it correct though. cuz i do think that people ARE and SHOULD BE considered idiots before PROVEN otherwise. it's just so hard to prove yourself otherwise in Korea, that's all.
ReplyDeleteFor example, take those idiots who tell me they want a job within the engineering department. I ask them what kind of work they are looking for and they say some idiot answer like "engineering!" I tell them you should be more specific than that, and I give them some suggestions on how they can reword their coice. They then say things like "thank you for your advice, but I shall stick to my ideals! I love my individuality! I am capable of doing anything! I will not conform!" And when they don't get the job, they are in complete shock because they were taught that they could do anything they want, the world is open to opportunity. But guess what, the world doesn't work that way. Especially if you're an idiot.
ReplyDeleteit annoys the heck out of me when I see what they teach in an average american high school. they baby their kids too much (which is why I think some of them get too stressed out and drop out of college after the first semester.) I liked the education that I received in korea. maybe it's because I liked math and science stuff.... haha but the downside of the korean system is that it kills creativity..
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I would want to bring up my kids.. cus I hear the korean educational system is going wack now too..... I guess the only answer is expensive private schools :P
I have had more than my share of experience, and still am continuing to do so, in the Korean hakwon-tutoring system. Perhaps that's the reason that I'm that much more disillusioned. And I can tell you things are getting worse every year.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that the approach you describe as American is necessarily right - some people probably can do with reality checks. But the Korean approach, driven to its logical conclusion, leads to students being spoon-fed, or even force-fed, knowledge according to a rather outdated curriculum. And that's what's happening increasingly now.